Study Reveals That Energy Security Is Top Of Mind For Majority Of US Homeowners During COVID-19

Rhea-AI Summary

Sunrun Inc. (Nasdaq: RUN) has reported a significant increase in homeowner interest in backup power sources amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A study reveals that 62% of homeowners have experienced heightened energy consumption, with nearly 40% seeking backup options due to power outages. Among those who faced outages, 25% reported disruptions lasting a day or more, impacting remote work and schooling. Californians are particularly affected, with 57% anticipating outages. The study indicates a strong demand for home solar and battery solutions to ensure energy reliability during these challenging times.

Positive

• 40% of homeowners show increased interest in backup power due to outages.
• 62% of homeowners report greater energy consumption during the pandemic.
• One in three Americans experienced blackouts in 2020.
• Strong demand for solar battery solutions to counter outages.

Negative

• 25% of homeowners experienced power outages lasting a day or longer.
• 47% of homeowners felt unprepared for power outages.
• Higher monthly bills reported by 47% of homeowners, with 1 in 6 seeing increases of $40 or more.

Nearly 40% of US homeowners say their interest in backup power sources has increased due to power outages during the coronavirus pandemic

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sunrun Inc. (Nasdaq:RUN), a leading provider of residential solar, battery storage and energy services, today released a study that found COVID-19 has increased energy consumption for the majority of homeowners, causing unique challenges in the event of a power outage.

The increased reliance on the home as a place to work and do schooling has led to a surge in power needs, with 62% of homeowners agreeing the coronavirus has increased demand for electricity. The study shows that, due to the pandemic, 57% of homeowners say they want to make home improvements, including nearly 40% who have a growing interest in backup power sources. Already in 2020, one in three Americans surveyed have experienced a blackout or expect to in the near future. The study underscores the importance of rechargeable solar batteries and preparing for potential outages while social distancing and working from home.

“Homeowners across the country, but especially in California, are worried about how power outages are going to impact their ability to work remotely and help their kids with school,” said Lynn Jurich, CEO of Sunrun. “People need more reliable, affordable energy solutions like home solar paired with rechargeable batteries to make their home a safe haven.”

Here are some key findings from the national survey of American homeowners:

COVID-19 Leading Great Awakening for Energy Consumers

• A majority of American homeowners (56%) say COVID-19 has increased their home power use.
  
  
• Nearly half (47%) of homeowners say their monthly power bill has increased this summer compared to last.
  
  
  • For 1 in 6, it’s increased by $40 or more. (Nearly $500 / year)

Homeowners Facing the Energy Crisis

• Of homeowners who experienced power outages this summer, one in four (25%) people experienced outages lasting a day or longer.
  
  
• Of homeowners who’ve experienced a blackout/brownout, 29% say that power outages have significantly affected their ability to do remote work or schooling this year.
  
  
• As expected, power outages are disproportionately affecting homeowners of prime working age, with 39% of homeowners 24 to 39 years old and 37% of 40 to 55 years old saying their ability to do remote work or schooling has been significantly or very significantly impacted (compared to just 3% of 56 to 74 year olds).
  
  
• For Californians, these challenges are particularly severe:
  
  
  • Over half (56%) of California homeowners say that their monthly power bill increased this summer compared to last summer, compared to only 47% of the rest of the US.
    
    
  • 57% of Californians are expecting or experiencing outages compared to 33% in the rest of the country.

Preparing a Power Sanctuary

• For homeowners who experienced power outages this summer, 47% say they felt only a little prepared or not at all prepared for the power outage.
  
  
  • 45% of those homeowners say backup power like a battery or generator would have made them feel more prepared.
    
    
• 38% of homeowners who have been working from home during the pandemic say that experiencing or expecting to experience power outages has made them want to install backup power like rechargeable home batteries.
  
  
• Homeowners 24 to 39 years old in particular are more interested in backup power sources now (61%) than previously. In fact, they are almost twice as likely as homeowners 56 to 74 years old (31%) to want battery storage.

Sunrun conducted this research using an online survey prepared by Method Research and distributed by Dynata to 1,000 home owning adults in the United States -- 500 homeowners from California and an additional 500 from a spread across the remainder of the country. Data was collected from August 28 to September 2, 2020.

If you would like to access the full report, you can download it here.

About Sunrun

Sunrun Inc. (Nasdaq: RUN) is the nation’s leading home solar, battery storage, and energy services company. Founded in 2007, Sunrun pioneered home solar service plans to make local clean energy more accessible to everyone for little to no upfront cost. Sunrun’s innovative home battery solution, Brightbox, brings families affordable, resilient, and reliable energy. The company can also manage and share stored solar energy from the batteries to provide benefits to households, utilities, and the electric grid while reducing our reliance on polluting energy sources. For more information, please visit www.sunrun.com.

Sunrun Contact:
Andy Newbold
Communications Director
press@sunrun.com
(816) 516-5809

Sunrun Investor & Analyst Contact:
Patrick Jobin
Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations
investors@sunrun.com
(415) 373-5206

FAQ

How has COVID-19 affected homeowner interest in backup power sources?

Due to the pandemic, nearly 40% of US homeowners report increased interest in backup power sources.

What percentage of homeowners experienced increased electricity demand during COVID-19?

62% of homeowners stated that COVID-19 has led to greater electricity consumption.

What challenges do homeowners face regarding power outages?

25% of homeowners who experienced outages reported they lasted a day or longer, affecting remote work and schooling.

What is the situation for homeowners in California regarding power outages?

In California, 57% of homeowners expect or have experienced outages, significantly higher than the national average of 33%.

How many homeowners felt prepared for power outages during the pandemic?

47% of homeowners who experienced outages felt little or no preparedness for the power disruptions.